understate

verb

un·​der·​state ˌən-dər-ˈstāt How to pronounce understate (audio)
understated; understating; understates

transitive verb

1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state or present with restraint especially for effect

Examples of understate in a Sentence

He understated his taxable income. She's trying to understate the issue.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But with the induction of Arrillaga — whose generosity to Stanford can’t be understated — there was also a bit of Silicon Valley in the house with Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen and her husband, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, in attendance. Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024 The available colorways—including a muted forest green, cream, and simple black—are understated yet stylish. Abigail Barronian, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024 These estimates may understate the impact on prices. Dean Donovan, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 To say Raffensperger has been a constant in Trump’s craw would be to understate the ex-President’s enmity toward him. Philip Elliott, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for understate 

Word History

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of understate was in 1824

Dictionary Entries Near understate

Cite this Entry

“Understate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/understate. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

understate

verb
un·​der·​state ˌən-dər-ˈstāt How to pronounce understate (audio)
1
: to represent as less than is the case
understate taxable income
2
: to state mildly especially on purpose
understatement noun

More from Merriam-Webster on understate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!